1st & Goal: 2022 Week 8 Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

October 14, 2022

From a mile-high view, it’s incredible to consider how much history and how many memories will be made on Michigan high school football fields this weekend.

MI Student AidWe’re so close to the end of the regular season that almost every league in the state will have awarded at least a share of its championship by Saturday night. We’re also nine days from solidifying this season’s playoffs – and between Weeks 6 and 7 alone the prospective field of 288 teams saw 17 changes as time ticks down for hopefuls to make their move.

See below for our glance at several games that could continue to shape how this regular season finishes up. (Games are Friday unless noted.)

Bay & Thumb

Croswell-Lexington (6-1) at North Branch (6-1)

It seems like we’re turning to the Blue Water Area Conference for a big game every week, and this time it pits two of three teams tied for first as the league schedule concludes. The winner clinches a share of the league title, and Armada can as well with a win over Richmond. Croswell-Lexington broke a four-game losing streak against the Broncos with a 28-7 win last season – the only time North Branch has been held to single-digit scoring over the last two years. The Broncos are averaging 52 points per game this season, and a Pioneers defense giving up 16.5 will need to slow them down again.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Clarkston (5-2) at Lapeer (7-0), Grand Blanc (4-3) at Davison (6-1), Charlotte (6-1) at Flint Hamady (7-0). SATURDAY Goodrich (6-1) at Linden (5-2).

Greater Detroit

Livonia Franklin (7-0) at Belleville (7-0)

The Tigers have been nearly unbeatable the last six seasons – they’ve lost only once each of the last five, and the first four of those defeats came during the playoffs. The reigning Division 1 champions have won all four meetings with Franklin since joining the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East in 2018 – and this time the matchup will decide the outright league championship. The Patriots turned a 4-5 regular season in 2021 into a trip to the Division 2 Semifinals, and they haven’t slowed down. Nor has Belleville; the Tigers are outscoring their opponents by an average of 54-8 this season.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Detroit Cass Tech (4-3) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (5-1) at Wayne State, Detroit Community (4-3) at Mount Clemens (6-1), Warren De La Salle Collegiate (6-1) at River Rouge (5-1), West Bloomfield (6-1) at Southfield Arts & Technology (6-1).

Mid-Michigan

Durand (7-0) at New Lothrop (6-1)

New Lothrop has won 12 straight league football titles between the Genesee Area Conference and current the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference. But extending the streak got a little more complicated with last week’s 14-13 loss to Ovid-Elsie. That meant Durand earned a share of the championship with its 5-0 league start – and New Lothrop must win tonight to also earn a share, with a victory also giving another share to the Marauders. The Railroaders’ title is their first since 1983, and earning a win over New Lothrop for the outright championship would add another significant note to this memorable season. The Hornets have won their four MMAC meetings by an average of 33 points per game.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY East Lansing (6-1) at Holt (4-3), Olivet (6-1) at Williamston (5-2), Bath (5-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (4-3), Clare (5-2) at Shepherd (5-2).

Northern Lower Peninsula

Lawton (6-1) at Traverse City St. Francis (7-0), Saturday

A league title in hand, St. Francis is continuing to push to the end of the regular season with Lawton up this week and Detroit Country Day next in Week 9. With Saugatuck unable to play its league game against Lawton this week, the Blue Devils – also their league’s champions – made a similar power move in connecting with the Gladiators for a matchup of the No. 1 (St. Francis) and No. 5 teams in Division 7 playoff-point average.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY St. Ignace (6-1) at Elk Rapids (5-2), Portland (6-1) at Cadillac (5-2), Gladstone (5-2) at Gaylord (5-2), Evart (6-1) at Lake City (5-2).

Southeast & Border

Saline (6-1) at Dexter (7-0)

Dexter received an unexpected assist last week when Temperance Bedford ended Saline’s 50-game Southeastern Conference Red winning streak with a 7-0 defeat – which also led to the Dreadnaughts earning a share of the league title instead of this week’s matchup being a winner-take-all for the outright championship. Saline will be plenty motivated especially on offense after being shut out for the first time since the first game of 2017 – and the defense has been elite giving up only 8.4 points per game. Dexter has put up similar numbers and surely hasn’t forgotten how close it came in last season’s 42-40 loss to the Hornets.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Hudson (7-0) at Dundee (6-1), Homer (5-2) at Reading (6-1), Marine City Cardinal Mooney (6-1) at Whitmore Lake (6-1), Erie Mason (5-2) at Ottawa Lake Whiteford (7-0).

Southwest Corridor

Buchanan (6-1) at Benton Harbor (4-3)

The inaugural Lakeland Athletic Conference football title will be decided in part by this game. Buchanan clinched a share of the championship with a 26-24 win over Niles Brandywine last week. But Benton Harbor can also gain a share with a win this weekend – a major accomplishment as the team that went 10-1 in 2016 played as an independent, and the Tigers haven’t won a league title since 1984. Benton Harbor is giving up only 14 points per game, and that defense might be the key as it’s held up well even in the team’s defeats.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Muskegon Catholic Central (5-2) at Centreville (6-1), Chelsea (5-2) at Edwardsburg (6-1), Niles Brandywine (4-3) at Berrien Springs (5-1), Lake Odessa Lakewood (5-2) at Decatur (5-2).

Upper Peninsula

Negaunee (7-0) at Houghton (5-2)

The Miners are coming off a memorable win over Gladstone, 24-6, and they’ve been consistently solid all season. That must continue this week with a chance to clinch a share of the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper title on the line. Houghton is coming off a defeat against Calumet, but the Gremlins are one more victory from equaling their winningest season since 2013, and they’ve had their moments on defense over the last two seasons – including holding a Negaunee offense that otherwise averaged 34 points per game to only 26 last fall.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Iron Mountain (6-1) at Ishpeming (4-3), Bark River-Harris (5-2) at Ishpeming Westwood (4-3), Midland (6-1) at Marquette (3-4), Petoskey (2-5) at Sault Ste. Marie (4-3).

West Michigan

Muskegon Mona Shores (6-1) at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (5-2)

The Sailors can clinch a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green championship with a win and haven’t lost to Reeths-Puffer since 2016. A 34-6 victory to hand Zeeland West its only loss sticks out from this year’s run, but Mona Shores must be careful with the Rockets. With one more win, Reeths-Puffer will guarantee its best season since 2013. And although the Rockets lost last week to Zeeland West 30-12, they did impress in a 28-20 Week 3 defeat against Muskegon High – Mona Shores’ opponent in Week 9.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Coopersville (5-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (6-1), Ravenna (5-2) at Muskegon Oakridge (6-1), Grand Rapids Christian (3-4) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (7-0), Kingsford (5-2) at Hopkins (5-2).

8-Player

Alcona (6-1) at Rogers City (7-0)

This has been an anticipated matchup in the North Star League Big Dipper for a few weeks, and Alcona’s 50-34 loss last week to Au Gres-Sims sapped it only a bit. Rogers City would clinch the title outright with a win, while an Alcona win puts those two and Whittemore-Prescott atop the standings with one loss apiece. The Hurons won a few games close over the first month to get into this position, but their defense has been tough throughout giving up only 17 points per game. Alcona is seeking its first win over Rogers City since 2017 and will attempt to counter that defense with an offense averaging 56 points per game.

Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Newberry (6-1) at Pickford (5-2), Central Lake (5-2) at Farwell (7-0), Kingston (7-0) at Mayville (5-2), Adrian Lenawee Christian (6-1) at Climax-Scotts (6-1).

Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO A Saginaw Nouvel ball carrier dashes through the Ithaca defense during the Yellowjackets' 48-6 win Sept. 9. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)

1st & Goal: 2024 Week 4 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 23, 2024

“We’ve seen it all” surely belongs among the most overused phrases in sports. But Week 4 provided a few entertaining extremes from an otherwise typical high school football weekend across Michigan.

MI Student AidIn what had to be a first for a Michigan school, DeWitt welcomed an opponent from West Virginia – and in a 70-63 victory combined to tie for the sixth-most points scored between two teams in state history when the losing team scored at least 40.

Conversely, Midland Dow defeated Bay City Western 3-2 – the lowest-possible winning score when both teams put points on the board.

We’ve noted several more results below, of course, including the end of some notable winning – or losing – streaks, depending on who you were cheering on, and a handful of games that very well could decide league championships next month.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Croswell-Lexington 21, North Branch 17 The Broncos (3-1) led into the fourth quarter before Croswell-Lexington (3-1) moved ahead in what could prove a key result in the Blue Water Area Conference race. These two are now tied for third in the league, with Cros-Lex facing co-leader Almont this week (after losing to co-leader Armada in Week 2) and North Branch playing Almont and Armada back-to-back in October. The Pioneers’ 21 points were the first North Branch had given up this season. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.

Watch list Pinconning 21, Sanford Meridian 14 With this first win over Meridian since 2008 – breaking an eight-game losing streak against the Mustangs – Pinconning (3-1) guaranteed itself a better record than a year ago and its most wins since 2018, and after winning a combined four games over the last five seasons.

On the move Davison 45, Saginaw Heritage 22 This was an important opening win for Davison in Saginaw Valley Red play as it kept the Cardinals (3-1) on pace with co-leaders Lapeer and Grand Blanc and likely left Heritage (2-2) hoping for title share at best. Birch Run 21, New Lothrop 20 The Panthers (2-2) moved to the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference this fall and lost their first two league games, but getting past last season’s runner-up New Lothrop (1-3) was a great sign heading into this week’s matchup with reigning champ Chesaning. Millington 34, Cass City 6 Millington (4-0) also switched leagues this season and is the leader of the Big Thumb Conference White after this win over last season’s Greater Thumb Conference West champ Cass City (2-2).

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Detroit Martin Luther King 18, Detroit Cass Tech 12 (OT) A fourth-down Darryl Flemister touchdown pass to Tayshaun Henry, followed by a defensive stop, gave King the latest chapter in this rivalry and broke Cass Tech’s three-game winning streak in the series. King (3-1) is atop the Detroit Public School League Blue tied with Henry Ford and East English, with Cass Tech (2-2) and Renaissance one game back and Cass Tech not facing Ford on the league schedule. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Detroit Catholic Central 27, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 22 DCC (4-0) is alone atop the Catholic High School League Central heading into this week’s massive matchup with Warren De La Salle Collegiate, thanks to this victory over St. Mary’s (2-2) and the Pilots’ 41-6 defeat against Toledo Catholic Central.

On the move Rochester Adams 28, Clarkston 10 The Highlanders’ Oakland Activities Association Red schedule opened with West Bloomfield and Clarkston, and they’ve defeated both to move to 4-0 overall after falling to both last season. Macomb Dakota 24, Sterling Heights Stevenson 9 The Cougars (4-0) and Utica Eisenhower have surged to the front of the Macomb Area Conference Red, Dakota this week handing Stevenson (3-1) its first defeat with a third-straight game giving up fewer than 10 points. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 14, River Rouge 7 Brother Rice ended a 13-game losing streak in a big way avenging last year’s 28-16 defeat to playoff regular River Rouge (2-2).

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Clare 26, Gladwin 21 Clare (4-0) took a major step in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1 race thanks to an unforgettable drive at the end of this rivalry matchup. The Pioneers marched 99 yards over three minutes with Aiden Van Bonn scoring the game-winner with 53 seconds left. Gladwin had won three straight regular-season meetings with Clare (with a Clare 2021 playoff win mixed in). Click for more from the Bay City Times.

Watch list Leslie 33, Michigan Center 31 In avenging a 28-point loss from a year ago, Leslie (4-0) tied its win total from 2023 and moved closer to guaranteeing a first winning season since 2012. Michigan Center (1-3), meanwhile, has two losses by a combined three points.

On the move Hastings 31, Parma Western 17 These two decided the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference title last season, and Hastings (4-0) will continue its repeat pursuit after defeating Western (3-1) for the fourth-straight season. Corunna 48, Owosso 13 Corunna (4-0) ran its winning streak in this rivalry to six by handing Owosso (3-1) its first defeat. Mason 30, Haslett 24 (OT) Mason (3-1) sent this one to overtime with a field goal on the last play of regulation and emerged from a potential league-deciding matchup that saw neither team commit a turnover.

Fowler’s Ford Phillips (15) breaks into an opening but with Bath’s Isiah Delacruz (1) closing in. The Eagles won 41-0.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 26, East Jordan 20 After a couple of tough losses over the first month, Charlevoix (2-2) is moving in the right direction and will jump back into league play after handing East Jordan its first defeat. East Jordan (3-1) may very well end up the Northern Michigan Football League Legacy champion again with a key matchup this week against Maple City Glen Lake. But the Rayders can carry some momentum especially defensively back into NMFL Leaders play after containing a Red Devils offense that had scored 44 or more points in all of its first three games. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Petoskey 20, Gaylord 0 Petoskey (4-0) is off to its best start since 2011 and giving up just under eight points per game after this shutout of the reigning Big North Conference champion Blue Devils.

On the move Manton 24, Lake City 22 Manton (1-3) had lost eight straight to Lake City (1-3) and took a nice first step for this season specifically after winning once all of last fall and missing out on a Week 3 victory by eight points. Kingsley 26, Boyne City 20 Kingsley (3-1) navigated a tough obstacle in Boyne City (2-2) on the way to this week’s potential NMFL Legends-deciding matchup with Traverse City St. Francis. Oscoda 20, Elk Rapids 0 After an 0-2 start, Oscoda (2-2) is even again after avenging last year’s 30-0 defeat to the Elks.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Manchester 36, Napoleon 14 Manchester (4-0) took a major step opening in a strong Cascades Conference East by ending a five-game losing streak to Napoleon (2-2), which had won 11 straight league games and two straight league championships. The Flying Dutchmen see undefeated Leslie (noted above) this week. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Clinton 8, Blissfied 0 Clinton (3-1) posted its second-straight shutout to start Lenawee County Athletic Association play and made a second-quarter touchdown stand against the Royals (2-2).

On the move Adrian Madison 38, Dundee 13 The Trojans (3-1) just keep building, bouncing back from a Week 3 loss to Clinton as they continue to leave behind last year’s 1-8 finish. Dexter 56, Ann Arbor Huron 19 The Dreadnaughts (3-1) have rebounded from a Week 2 loss to Saline with a pair of 50-point performances, and they’ll be rooting for Huron (2-2) against Saline this week. Tecumseh 20, Adrian 10 Tecumseh (2-2) had lost its last two games by one point and then eight, but got even by avenging last year’s 29-7 defeat to the Maples (2-2).

DeWitt’s Tyler Dusseau (65) and Max Holtz (5) bring down a ball carrier from Hurricane, WV.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER White Pigeon 14, Decatur 6 This was as good as forecast, as White Pigeon (4-0) scored the only points of the second half to get past Decatur (3-1) and extend its regular-season winning streak to 17. Touchdowns were scored on defense, special teams and via a trick play. Click for more from the Sturgis Journal.

Watch list Kalamazoo Central 41, Stevensville Lakeshore 37 Kalamazoo Central’s first win over Lakeshore since 2018 moved the Maroon Giants to 3-1, giving them one more win than all of last season and guaranteeing their best finish since at least 2019.

On the move Bronson 34, Reading 12 Bronson (3-1) was 0-6 against Reading (1-3) since joining the Big 8 Conference in 2017, and a third win this season means the Vikings will at least tie their winningest since 2012. Constantine 28, South Haven 22 These two decided the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore title last year, and the Falcons (4-0) showed some grit again with their second-straight one-score win this fall. Paw Paw 34, Vicksburg 7 Paw Paw has outscored its first two Wolverine Conference opponents by a combined 97-7 and has not given up more than 15 points to any opponent this fall.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Kingsford 29, Negaunee 27 Last season’s Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper co-champions met for what could eventually decide the league title this fall, and this time Kingsford won close after falling to Negaunee 13-12 a year ago. The Miners (3-1) trailed big in the third quarter before launching a comeback, but the Flivvers held on to move to 4-0. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.

Watch list Escanaba 45, Sault Ste. Marie 0 For the second time this season, Escanaba avenged a 2023 loss. Escanaba had lost their last two recent meetings with Sault Ste. Marie, and at 2-2 already has as many wins as both of the last two seasons.

On the move Bark River-Harris 48, Gwinn 0 Bark River-Harris (2-2) is back to even after opening with two losses, and as the Broncos pursue a fifth-straight winning season. Menominee 48, Calumet 6 The Maroons (4-0) also are positioning themselves for another run at the West-PAC Copper title, in this one sending Calumet to 2-2. Houghton 39, Ishpeming Westwood 8 The Gremlins (2-2) pulled within a win of tying last season’s total.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Hudsonville 28, Rockford 21 Hudsonville (3-1) broke a nine-game losing streak against its rival that stretched back to the 2016 playoffs, and ended previously-undefeated Rockford’s Ottawa-Kent Conference Red 27-game winning streak that began in 2019. The Eagles fell to the Rams 48-0 just last season, but now sit with East Kentwood atop the early league standings. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list Newaygo 42, Howard City Tri County 38 Newaygo (4-0) is in its second season under legendary past Rockford coach Ralph Munger, and its four wins this fall are more than the team has won in a season since 2019. Tri County (3-1) was last season’s runner-up in the Central State Activities Association Gold and had defeated Newaygo in four straight.

On the move Muskegon Mona Shores 14, Byron Center 12 Only Hudsonville’s stunner could dislodge this from West Michigan’s top billing above, as Mona Shores won this matchup of undefeated teams in a defensive showdown. Hudsonville Unity Christian 43, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 20 We already figured Unity (4-0) was back to being Unity past, but doubling up the reigning Division 3 champion FHC (3-1) speaks plenty more. Grand Rapids Northview 31, East Grand Rapids 27 Northview made the playoffs at 4-5 last season in part because of its tough schedule, and the Wildcats are looking great to build on that with this win making them 4-0. Northview had lost all five of their recent meetings with EGR (2-2).

8-Player

HEADLINER Deckerville 30, Brown City 28 Half the eight-team Big Thumb Conference Blue is 3-1 or better this fall, and Deckerville (4-0) is tied with Kingston at the top of the standings after pulling ahead of the Green Devils (3-1) to claim this meeting. Deckerville had lost both of its previous 8-player matchups with Brown City, including 46-28 last season as the Green Devils went on to a league title. Click for more from the Sanilac County News.

Watch list Burr Oak 66, Tekonsha 8 The Bobcats were a combined 2-25 the last three seasons heading into this one, but they’re 3-1 this fall and already have scored more points than during any full season since 2020.

On the move Pickford 65, Ishpeming 14 The Hematites (3-1) no doubt will become an 8-player force, but Pickford (4-0) remains one of if not the top team to chase in the Upper Peninsula. Gaylord St. Mary 56, Bellaire 8 St. Mary (3-1) bounced back from a Week 3 loss to Ishpeming to hand Bellaire (3-1) its first defeat. Portland St. Patrick 29, Morrice 12 The Shamrocks (4-0) made it two in a row over the rival Orioles (3-1), impressing especially on defense as Morrice had scored at least 44 points in all of its first three games.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Linden quarterback Dylan Dreasky (7) hands off during his team’s 14-13 win over previously-undefeated Flushing on Friday. (Middle) Fowler’s Ford Phillips (15) breaks into an opening but with Bath’s Isiah Delacruz (1) closing in. The Eagles won 41-0. (Below) DeWitt’s Tyler Dusseau (65) and Max Holtz (5) bring down a ball carrier from Hurricane, WV. (Top photo by Terry Lyons, middle photo by John Johnson, and below photo by Max McCallister.)